A couple of days later Ruth was half walking, half hobbling around her flat as she put her shopping away. Tesco's delivery had been her saviour, as she wasn't entirely sure she was ready for the pointing and staring she'd get if she ventured out of the house yet. Her doorbell rang, and she grabbed her crutches and answered the door. "Come in," she said without looking, going back into the kitchen.

"You didn't even check to see who I was," Harry said with a smile. He was thrilled she was out of her wheelchair at the moment. It was lovely to see.

"You're the only person who ever comes to see me," Ruth said honestly. "Who else would it be?"

"Wow!" Harry said looking at the mess of the kitchen, food everywhere.

"I've just had a delivery," Ruth explained. "It takes a lot longer to unpack everything now."

"I'd like to take you out to dinner."

Ruth whipped around to face him, sure that she'd misheard. After almost a full minutes silence, she leaned against the kitchen counter for her balance. "Why?"

"Because I've wanted to take you out to dinner again for five years, but I've been too much of a coward to ask," Harry said honestly.

"Harry… I can't," she said in a quiet voice. Did he imagine it or was there disappointment there?

"Why?"

"Because I can't go to a restaurant," she said sadly. "I can't be the object of everyone's attention. I don't like people looking at me at the best of times. Now it'll be even worse. I can't bear it."

"Ruth, you can't hide yourself away forever," he said calmly. "Its always going to be hard, I'm not denying that. Will you think about it?"

"I want to," Ruth said quietly. "I just… I'm scared."

"Okay," Harry said with half a smile. "I've smuggled these out of Thames House by the way." For the first time Ruth noticed a thick folder in his hand. "Its nothing particularly exciting but it might keep you from going mad with boredom."

"Thank you," Ruth said, as he put them down on the counter. "I'll read them through properly."

"Well, call me if you need anything," Harry said.

"I don't need anything," Ruth replied, emphasising the word. "I'll call if I want to talk. Okay?"

"Fair enough. Bye Ruth." He left the house and Ruth sat down, thinking to herself. If she were honest with herself she did want to go to dinner with Harry. But she was more than a little frightened. Frightened about going on a date with Harry, and scared of going out in public with only one leg. But she would think about it.

That night Ruth was in bed, the files Harry had given her spread all around her. He'd been very thoughtful, as every case she had related in some way to ancient literature, her specialty. She felt very soft towards him at the moment, so she did something before she could regret it. She leaned across and picked up her mobile, calling Harry.

"Yes?"

"Hi Harry, its me," Ruth said quietly.

"Are you alright?" he asked instantly.

"Oh yes I'm fine," she assured him. "I've been reading the files you gave me. Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said, and she knew he was smiling.

"I've been thinking. About dinner."

"Please don't say no," Harry said quietly. "Just leave me a little bit of hope."

"I was going to tell you that I'd love to come," Ruth said. "Really."

"That's great," Harry said with such clear sincerity that she smiled. "I'll book a table. Anywhere in particular?"

"No, I don't care," Ruth said. "As long as I have good company, anywhere you chose is fine. So you didn't book a table before hand?"

"I wasn't sure you'd want to come," he said quietly.

"I do, I don't want people pointing and staring at me, that's all."

"Well thank you for giving me a chance anyway," Harry said quietly. "It'll be wonderful, I promise you."

"I'll hold you to that," Ruth said. "Call me when you've booked something."

"I will."

"Bye Harry." She put the phone down and felt something she hadn't felt in weeks. Well, years if she was being honest with herself. A warm glow of happiness because of a man. She hoped, dearly hoped that everything would go well.

The next day Harry called a restaurant to book a table. He spoke to the manager, demanding that the wait staff that evening would not point or stare or whisper about his date, due to her missing leg. He could do nothing about other customers, but Harry would make damn sure that she would have as good an evening as possible.

Okay, now on a break until mid November. Just thought I'd post something before packing and I'll write more when I get home from Athens!